1. What drove you to try these lifestyle and business ways? What was the key motivator in your life?

I think anger was the biggest motivation for me in the beginning. I was angry that I was living within this context where work had to be a chore, or that life was just a matter of surviving. So I would say dissatisfaction was what drove me to pursue another path. Eventually I started being more motivated by what I actually wanted, instead of what I didn’t want. But it took me a while to get there.

2. A crucial component of your business model focuses on niche markets. Do you think nowadays the chances to find and utilize these markets are easier to grasp than at the time you started your experience?

I think anyone can find a niche if they work at it enough. I’m not sure it’s any harder or easier now. I think it’s just a matter of how much you want it and how much you’re willing to work.

3. What were the biggest roadblocks you’ve encountered along your journey?

Patience is a big one. When you finally have a vision of what you want, it’s hard not to resent your current situation because it’s not exactly where you want to be. Patience to persist even though your dreams aren’t yet realized is a big deciding factor in whether you’ll succeed or not.

4. If you could do it all over again, would you?

Of course.

5. Does it take money to do this? Or just time and passion?

Money only really helps to the point it can give you more time. So, sure, money can help, but it doesn’t do everything for you. It takes time and passion to make it work.

6. Are there resources that support you in this way of business? Or are you on your own on this path?

I’ve benefited tremendously from more people than I can count. As for resources, you can look to your library or any number of blogs online.

As for support I have a circle of people around me that are on the same path that I look to for support. I definitely couldn’t do it without them.

7. Do you need to have qualifications or be an expert in an area or do you pass knowledge just as a human being, regardless of qualifications?

I don’t think you need any special qualifications to get paid to do what you love and to live a deliberate life. I think you can be self-qualified and find a back door to enter through. I actually wrote an article about that here.